Yesterday, we had to say our final goodbyes to our beloved Golden Retriever, Kona, who lost his battle with cancer. Kona is our third Golden we have lost to cancer in 5 years. This time it was nerve sheath cancer, differnet name, same horrible disease.

We adopted Kona just 2 years ago, when he was 6 years old. He was our 17th foster dog and I knew the moment I laid eyes on him, he was not leaving us. Not to mince words, but his previous life was crappy. So we showered him with love and he blossomed into an amazing dog.

Together, he and I volunteered at local hospitals and hospices, providing pet therapy visits to patients. Our specialty was working with brain trauma and stroke patients. I witnessed Kona’s magic as he helped people through some of the most difficult times of their lives.

I feel incredibly privileged to have known this amazing being, even if it was for far too short of a time. Dogs live the best lives; in the moment and fully…completely. A lesson we all should remember.